Soft chewable pharmaceutical products

ABSTRACT

A soft chewable pharmaceutical product for delivery of a pharmaceutically acceptable active ingredient to an animal comprising pamoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and a process for the manufacture of such soft chewable pharmaceutical product.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of orally administrable pharmaceutical dosage units such as soft chews, especially for administration to non-human animals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chewable pharmaceutical products for drug delivery are well known. Formulation of a drug into a chewable dosage form can increase (animal) patient acceptance of the medication that tend to resist swallowing hard tablets or capsules.

Texture is important for the acceptance of such oral products by (animal) patients. One of the most commonly used form for chewable pharmaceutical products is a chewable compressed tablet, whose ingredients, however, can make the tablet gritty or otherwise unappealing, especially to non-human animals. Thus, a preferred alternative dosage form for non-human animals is the “soft chew” generally a meat-like mass also widely found in consumable pet treats.

Soft chews have been described in prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,381 discloses an extrudate which is formed of a matrix having starch, sugar, fat, polyhydric alcohol and water.

WO 2004/014143 relates to compositions and processes for the delivery of an additive to an organism in a form suitable for consumption, and in particular, in the form of a soft chew.

US 2009/0280159 and US 2011/0223234, relate to palatable edible soft chewable medication vehicles. The processes described herein relate to the problem that heat generated during the extrusion process causes deterioration in the stability of the active ingredient in the mixture.

Machines for the high volume production of molded food patties have been described to be useful for the manufacturing of soft chews for administration to non-human animals. Such machines are molding machines developed for use in producing molded food products, for example Formax F6™ molding machine made by the Formax Corporation or the molding machines disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,486,186; 3,887,964; 3,952,478; 4,054,967; 4,097,961; 4,182,003; 4,334,339; 4,338,702; 4,343,068; 4,356,595; 4,372,008; 4,535,505; 4,597,135; 4,608,731; 4,622,717; 4,697,308; 4,768,941; 4,780,931; 4,818,446; 4,821,376; 4,872,241; 4,975,039; 4,996,743; 5,021,025; 5,022,888; 5,655,436; and 5,980.228.

Such machines are originally used to form hamburger patties from a supply of ground beef by forcing the ground beef under pressure into a multi-cavity mold plate which is rapidly shuttled on a linear slide between a fill position and a discharge position in which vertically reciprocable knock-outs push the patties from the mold cavities.

For use in the manufacturing of soft chews, a dough mass is prepared with ingredients that lead to the meat-like texture of the resulting soft chew after forming and drying. For the manufacturing of a veterinary medicament on an industrial scale it is necessary to produce the soft chews by a forming machine that is able to produce high volume.

However, it has been observed that some soft chew components of the dough, that is fed to the forming equipment, cause the blocking of the movable parts, especially the mold plates in the forming machine. Accordingly, the art field is in search of soft chew compositions that are easily processable in forming equipment on an industrial scale.

Salts of pamoic acid are known as pamoates or embonates and are conventionally used as a counter ion of certain basic active ingredients to obtain long-acting pharmaceutical formulations. Examples of pamoate salts of active ingredients in veterinary medicine are the anthelmintic compounds pyrantel pamoate and oxantel pamoate and the antihistamine hydroxycine pamoate. A number of active ingredients used in human health are pamoate salts, e.g. as disclosed in WO 94/25460, WO 05/016261, WO 04/017970, or WO 05/075454.

The use of pamoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as excipient in soft chew formulations has not been described.

It has now been found that the soft chews that comprise pamoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof can be easily processed in a forming machine and that pamoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof facilitates manufacturing of such soft chews on an industrial scale using a forming machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a new soft chewable pharmaceutical product for administration to non-human animals and a process for its manufacture.

Accordingly, in one embodiment the present invention relates to a soft chewable veterinary pharmaceutical product (a “soft chew”) comprising as ingredients,

-   -   pamoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,         provided that such pamoic acid or pharmaceutically acceptable         salt thereof is not an active pharmaceutical ingredient,     -   one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients,     -   a liquid component,     -   a forming agent, and     -   optionally one or more excipients.

In one embodiment the invention provides a soft chewable veterinary pharmaceutical product comprising as ingredients,

-   -   pamoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,         provided that such pamoic acid or pharmaceutically acceptable         salt thereof is not an active pharmaceutical ingredient,     -   optionally one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients,     -   a liquid component,     -   a forming agent, and     -   optionally one or more excipients.

In a preferred embodiment the product comprises sodium pamoate.

In one embodiment the amount of pamoic acid or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is between 1.5 and 30% w/w, preferably between 2 and 5% w/w.

In another embodiment a soft chewable veterinary pharmaceutical product is provided comprising as ingredients,

-   -   a pamoate salt of an active pharmaceutical ingredient, provided         that such active pharmaceutical ingredient is not pyrantel         pamoate or oxantel pamoate,     -   optionally another active pharmaceutical ingredient,     -   a liquid component,     -   a forming agent,     -   optionally pamoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt         thereof, and     -   optionally one or more excipients.

In one embodiment the product as described above additionally comprise one or more of the following excipients:

-   -   a filler,     -   a stabilizer component,     -   a flavoring component, and/or     -   a sugar component.

In one embodiment the active pharmaceutical ingredient is an isoxazoline compound of Formula (I)

wherein R¹=halogen, CF₃, OCF₃, CN, n=integer from 0 to 3, preferably 1, 2 or 3, R²=C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, preferably CF₃ or CF₂Cl, T=5- or 6-membered ring, which is optionally substituted by one or more radicals Y, Y=methyl, halomethyl, halogen, CN, NO₂, NH₂—C═S, or two adjacent radicals Y form together a chain, especially a three or four membered chain; Q=X—NR³R⁴ or a 5-membered N-heteroaryl ring, which is optionally substituted by one or more radicals; X=CH₂, CH(CH₃), CH(CN), CO, CS, R³=hydrogen, methyl, haloethyl, halopropyl, halobutyl, methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, halomethoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, haloethoxymethyl, propoxymethyl, ethylaminocarbonylmethyl, ethylaminocarbonylethyl, dimethoxyethyl, propynylaminocarbonylmethyl, N-phenyl-N-methyl-amino, haloethylaminocarbonylmethyl, haloethylaminocarbonylethyl, tetrahydrofuryl, methylaminocarbonylmethyl, (N,N-dimethylamino)-carbonylmethyl, propylaminocarbonylmethyl, cyclopropylaminocarbonylmethyl, propenylaminocarbonylmethyl, haloethylaminocarbonylcyclopropyl,

wherein Z^(A)=hydrogen, halogen, cyano, halomethyl (CF₃); R⁴=hydrogen, ethyl, methoxymethyl, halomethoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, haloethoxymethyl, propoxymethyl, methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl, propylcarbonyl, cyclopropylcarbonyl, methoxycarbonyl, methoxymethylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, ethylaminocarbonylmethyl, ethylaminocarbonylethyl, dimethoxyethyl, propynylaminocarbonylmethyl, haloethylaminocarbonylmethyl, cyanomethylaminocarbonylmethyl, or haloethylaminocarbonylethyl; Or R³ and R⁴ together form a substituent selected from the group consisting of:

or a salt or solvate thereof.

In a specific embodiment the active pharmaceutical ingredient is 4-[5-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-[(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethylcarbamoyl)-methyl]-benzamide.

In a specific embodiment the active pharmaceutical ingredient is 4-[5-[3-Chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3-isoxazolyl]-N-[2-oxo-2-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)amino]ethyl]-1-naphthalenecarboxamide.

In a specific embodiment the active pharmaceutical ingredient is 4-[5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-isoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-(thietan-3-yl)benzamide.

In a specific embodiment the active pharmaceutical ingredient is 5-[5-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3-isoxazolyl]-3-methyl-N-[2-oxo-2-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)amino]ethyl]-2-thiophenecarboxamide.

In one embodiment more than one active pharmaceutical ingredient is present.

In a preferred embodiment the combination of active pharmaceutical ingredients comprises one or more antiparasitics.

Another aspect of the current invention is a process for the manufacture of a product as described above in a forming machine comprising the steps of

-   -   a) mixing the ingredients into a dough,     -   b) filling a mold with dough, and     -   c) removing the dough from the mold,         wherein in the mixing step a) the pamoic acid or the         pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is mixed with the other         ingredients.

In one aspect the current invention is directed to the use of pamoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the process as described above to increase lubricity of a product as described above when filling the mold with dough or when removing the dough from the mold or both.

In another aspect the current invention is directed to the use of the soft chewable veterinary pharmaceutical product as described above in the manufacture of a medicament for controlling a parasitic insect, acarid or nematode infestation of an animal.

Another aspect of the current invention is a soft chewable veterinary pharmaceutical composition comprising an isoxazoline compound of Formula (I) for use in a method of controlling a parasitic insect, acarid or nematode infestation of an animal

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inventors identified, that the addition of pamoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a soft chew dough, improves the processability of such soft chew in the forming equipment by increasing lubricity on the surface of the soft chew when filling the mold with dough or when removing the dough from the mold or both.

“Soft chew” or “Soft chewable veterinary pharmaceutical product” is intended to mean a product which is solid at room temperature and that is soft to chew and which is functionally chewy because the product has some plastic texture during the process of mastication in the mouth. Such soft chews have a softness that is similar to a cooked ground meat petty.

Pamoic acid, also called embonic acid, is a naphthoic acid derivative. The chemical name of pamoic acid is 4,4′-methylenebis(3-hydroxy-2-napthalenecarboxylic acid). In one aspect of the invention a salt of pamoic acid is used. In one aspect of the invention, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of pamoic acid is the sodium or potassium salt. In one embodiment sodium pamoate is used, especially disodium pamoic acid. Salts of pamoic acid are readily commercially available, e.g. pamoic acid disodium salt from APAC Pharmaceutical LLC, Columbia, US. Different hydrate forms of pamoic acid salts are suitable for use in the current invention. In one embodiment the monohydrate form is used. In an alternative embodiment the anhydrate form is used. Alternatively esters of pamoic acid can be used in the current invention.

In one aspect the active pharmaceutical ingredient by itself does not provide a lubricating effect and pamoic acid or salts thereof are included in the soft chew composition as an (non-active) ingredient or excipient. Hence the composition comprises pamoic acid or salts thereof provided that such pamoic acid or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is not an active pharmaceutical ingredient. In one example such pamoic acid or salts is sodium pamoate.

In addition to pamoic acid as a (non-active) ingredient (or excipient) the soft chew can comprise a pamoate salt of an active pharmaceutical ingredient.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a product of the invention wherein a pamoate salt of an active pharmaceutical ingredient is present in the soft chew of the current invention, but no additional pamoic acid or salts thereof are included as non-active ingredient, provided that such active pharmaceutical ingredient is not pyrantel pamoate or oxantel pamoate.

The presence of pamoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof has been proven to increase the lubricity of the soft chew so that the soft chew can now be processed in a forming machine. The amount of pamoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof necessary to provide the required lubricity depends on the specific composition of the various ingredients and can be determined by the skilled person in each case. In general, a w/w % of at least 1% already displays the favourable processing parameters of the soft chew.

In one aspect the invention relates to a product according to the invention wherein the amount of pamoic acid or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is between 1 and 50% w/w. In another aspect the amount of pamoic acid or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is between 1.5 and 30% w/w. In still another aspect the amount of pamoic acid or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is not higher than 10% w/w. In a further aspect, the amount of pamoic acid or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is between 2.0 and 5.0% w/w.

Another aspect of the present invention is the use of pamoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the manufacture of a soft chew. The addition of pamoic acid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a soft chew dough, improves the processability of such soft chew dough in the forming equipment by increasing lubricity on the surface of the soft chew product when filling the mold with dough or when removing the dough from the mold or both. Lubricity means and refers to the measure of the reduction in friction including reduction of adherence of soft-chew mixture to the mold plate or knock out cups.

In one embodiment the pamoic acid or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is not an active pharmaceutical ingredient.

The soft chew according to the invention in general comprises an active pharmaceutical ingredient.

As used herein, an active pharmaceutical ingredient (or active ingredient, or pharmaceutically active ingredient or pharmaceutically acceptable active ingredient) is a substance used in a pharmaceutical product, intended to furnish pharmacological activity or to otherwise have direct effect in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease, or to have direct effect in restoring, correcting or modifying physiological functions in humans or animals.

Any orally administrable pharmaceutically active ingredient or other biologically active compound may be provided in the soft chews of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the veterinary pharmaceutical arts will be entirely familiar with the identity of such active ingredients which may include, without limitation, antibiotics, analgesics, antivirals, antifungals, antiparasitics such as endo- and ecto-parasticides, hormones and/or derivatives thereof, anti-inflammatories (including non-steroidal anti-inflammatories), steroids, behavior modifiers, vaccines, antacids, laxatives, anticonvulsants, sedatives, tranquilizers, antitussives, antihistamines, decongestants, expectorants, appetite stimulants and suppressants, cardiovascular drugs, minerals and vitamins.

The active ingredients are preferably antiparasitics, more preferably selected from the group consisting of isoxazoline compounds, avermectins (e.g., ivermectin, selamectin, doramectin, abamectin, and eprinomectin); milbemycins (moxidectin and milbemycin oxime); pro-benzimidazoles (e.g., febantel, netobimin, and thiophanate); benzimidazole derivatives, such as a thiazole benzimidazole derivatives (e.g., thiabendazole and cambendazole), carbamate benzimidazole derivatives (e.g., fenbendazole, albendazole (oxide), mebendazole, oxfendazole, parbendazole, oxibendazole, flubendazole, and triclabendazole); imidazothiazoles (e.g., levamisole and tetramisole); tetrahydropyrimidine (morantel and pyrantel), salicylanilides (e.g., closantel, oxyclozanide, rafoxanide, and niclosamide); nitrophenolic compounds (e.g., nitroxynil and nitroscanate); benzenedisulfonamides (e.g., clorsulon); pyrazinoisoquinolines (e.g., praziquantel and epsiprantel); heterocyclic compounds (e.g., piperazine, diethylcarbamazine, and phenothiazine); dichlorophen, arsenicals (e.g., thiacetarsamide, melorsamine, and arsenamide); cyclooctadepsipeptides (e.g., emodepside); paraherquamides (e.g. derquantel); and amino-acetonitrile compounds (e.g. monepantel, AAD 1566); amidine compounds (e.g., amidantel and tribendimidin), including all pharmaceutically acceptable forms, such as salts, solvates or N-oxides.

In one embodiment the pharmaceutically active ingredient is an isoxazoline compound. Isoxazoline compounds are known in the art and these compounds and their use as antiparasitic are described, for example, in US patent application US 2007/0066617, and International Patent applications WO 2005/085216, WO 2007/079162, WO 2009/002809, WO 2009/024541, WO 2009/003075, WO 2010/070068 and WO 2010/079077, the disclosures of which, as well as the references cited herein, are incorporated by reference. This class of compounds is known to possess excellent activity against ectoparasites, i.e. parasitic insect and acarids, such as ticks and fleas and endoparasites such as nematodes.

In one embodiment the soft chewable pharmaceutical product according to the invention comprises an isoxazoline compound of the Formula (I)

wherein R¹=halogen, CF₃, OCF₃, CN, n=integer from 0 to 3, preferably 1, 2 or 3, R²=C₁-C₃-haloalkyl, preferably CF₃ or CF₂Cl, T=5- or 6-membered ring, which is optionally substituted by one or more radicals Y, Y=methyl, halomethyl, halogen, CN, NO₂, NH₂—C═S, or two adjacent radicals Y form together a chain CH—CH═CH—CH, N—CH═CH—CH, CH—N═CH—CH, CH—CH═N—CH, or CH—CH═CH—N, HC═HC—CH, CH—CH═CH, CH═CH—N, N—CH═CH; Q=X—NR³R⁴ or a 5-membered N-heteroaryl ring, which is optionally substituted by one or more radicals Z^(A), Z^(B) Z^(D); X=CH₂, CH(CH₃), CH(CN), CO, CS, R³=hydrogen, methyl, haloethyl, halopropyl, halobutyl, methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, halomethoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, haloethoxymethyl, propoxymethyl, ethylaminocarbonylmethyl, ethylaminocarbonylethyl, dimethoxyethyl, propynylaminocarbonylmethyl, N-phenyl-N-methyl-amino, haloethylaminocarbonylmethyl, haloethylaminocarbonylethyl, tetrahydrofuryl, methylaminocarbonylmethyl, (N,N-dimethylamino)-carbonylmethyl, propylaminocarbonylmethyl, cyclopropylaminocarbonylmethyl, propenylaminocarbonylmethyl, haloethylaminocarbonylcyclopropyl,

R⁴=hydrogen, ethyl, methoxymethyl, halomethoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, haloethoxymethyl, propoxymethyl, methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl, propylcarbonyl, cyclopropylcarbonyl, methoxycarbonyl, methoxymethylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, ethylaminocarbonylmethyl, ethylaminocarbonylethyl, dimethoxyethyl, propynylaminocarbonylmethyl, haloethylaminocarbonylmethyl, cyanomethylaminocarbonylmethyl, or haloethylaminocarbonylethyl; or R³ and R⁴ together form a substituent selected from the group consisting of:

wherein Z^(A)=hydrogen, halogen, cyano, halomethyl (CF₃).

In one preferred embodiment in Formula (I) T is selected from

wherein in T-1, T-3 and T-4 the radical Y is hydrogen, halogen, methyl, halomethyl, ethyl, haloethyl.

In an preferred embodiment in Formula (I) Q is selected from

Wherein R³, R⁴, X and Z^(A) are as defined above.

Preferred compounds of Formula (I) are:

(R¹)_(n) R² R³ R⁴ T Y Q Z X 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂CF₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂CH₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂CH₂OCH₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ — T-2 — Q-6 Z^(B)-7 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ — — T-2 — Q-7 Z^(B)-7 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ — — T-2 — Q-5 Z^(B)-7 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ — — T-2 — Q-2 Z^(D)-1 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CC H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CN H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 4-F, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 4-F, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-20 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₃ H T-20 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ CH₃ T-20 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₃ CH₃ T-20 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-20 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₃ H T-20 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-21 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₃ H T-21 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-21 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH₃ H T-21 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂CH₂SCH₃ H T-21 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ C(O)CH₃ H T-22 F Q-1 — CH₂ 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ C(O)CH(CH₃)₂ H T-22 F Q-1 — CH₂ 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ C(O)-cyclo-propyl H T-22 F Q-1 — CH₂ 3-Cl, 4-F, 5-Cl CF₃ C(O)CH₃ H T-22 F Q-1 — CH₂ 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ C(O)CH₂CH₃ H T-22 F Q-1 — CH₂ 3-Cl, 4-F, 5-Cl CF₃ C(O)CH₃ H T-22 Cl Q-1 — CH₂ 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-1 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CH H T-1 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ R³-1 (Z) H T-1 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ R³-1 (E) H T-1 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O)

Especially preferred compounds of Formula (I) are

(R¹)_(n) R² R³ R⁴ T Y Q Z X 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂CF₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂CH₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂CH₂OCH₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ — T-2 — Q-6 Z^(B)-7 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ — — T-2 — Q-7 Z^(B)-7 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ — — T-2 — Q-5 Z^(B)-7 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ — — T-2 — Q-2 Z^(D)-1 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CC H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CN H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 4-F, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-20 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ CH₃ T-20 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-20 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-21 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-21 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂CH₂SCH₃ H T-21 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ C(O)CH₃ H T-22 F Q-1 — CH₂ 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ C(O)CH(CH₃)2 H T-22 F Q-1 — CH₂ 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ C(O)-cyclo-propyl H T-22 F Q-1 — CH₂ 3-Cl, 4-F, 5-Cl CF₃ C(O)CH₃ H T-22 F Q-1 — CH₂ 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ C(O)CH₂CH₃ H T-22 F Q-1 — CH₂ 3-Cl, 4-F, 5-Cl CF₃ C(O)CH₃ H T-22 Cl Q-1 — CH₂ 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-1 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ R³-1 (Z) H T-1 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ R³-1 (E) H T-1 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O)

A more preferred compound has the Formula (II),

wherein R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c) are independently from each other hydrogen, Cl or CF₃, preferably R^(1a) and R^(1c) are Cl or CF₃ and R^(1b) is hydrogen,

T is

wherein Y is methyl, bromine, Cl, F, CN or C(S)NH₂, and Q is as described above.

In another preferred embodiment in R³ is H and R⁴ is —CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CF₃, —CH₂—C(O)—NH—CH₂—CH₃, —CH₂CH₂—CF₃ or —CH₂CF₃.

In one embodiment the compound of Formula (I) is 4-[5-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-[(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethylcarbamoyl)-methyl]-benzamide (CAS RN 864731-61-3-USAN fluralaner).

In another embodiment the compound of Formula (I) is (Z)-4-[5-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl]-N-[(methoxyimino)methyl]-2-methylbenzamide (CAS RN 928789-76-8).

In another embodiment the compound of Formula (I) is 4-[5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-isoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-(thietan-3-yl)benzamide (CAS RN 1164267-94-0) that was disclosed in WO2009/0080250—Compound B.

In another embodiment the compound of Formula (I) is 4-[5-[3-Chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3-isoxazolyl]-N-[2-oxo-2-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)amino]ethyl]-1-naphthalenecarboxamide (CAS RN 1093861-60-9, USAN-afoxolaner) that was disclosed in WO2007/079162—Compound C.

In another embodiment the compound of Formula (I) is 5-[5-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3-isoxazolyl]-3-methyl-N-[2-oxo-2-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)amino]ethyl]-2-thiophenecarboxamide (CAS RN 1231754-09-8) that was disclosed in WO2010/070068-Compound D.

An especially preferred compound is

Especially preferred compounds of Formula (II) are:

(R¹)_(n) R² R³ R⁴ T Y Q Z X 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂CF₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-2 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ — T-2 — Q-6 Z^(B)-7 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ — — T-2 — Q-7 Z^(B)-7 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ — — T-2 — Q-5 Z^(B)-7 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ — — T-2 — Q-2 Z^(D)-1 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 4-F, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-3 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5-Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-20 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ CH₃ T-20 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-20 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-CF₃, 5-CF₃ CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-21 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-21 — Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ CH₂C(O)NHCH₂CF₃ H T-1 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ R³-1 (Z) H T-1 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O) 3-Cl, 5Cl CF₃ R³-1 (E) H T-1 CH₃ Q-1 — C(O)

Isoxazoline compounds are known in the art and these compounds and their use as parasiticide are described, for example, in US patent application No. US 2007/0066617, and International Patent applications WO 2007/079162, WO 2009/002809, WO 2009/024541, WO 2009/003075, WO2009/080250, WO 2010/070068, WO 2010/079077, WO 2011/075591 and WO 2011/124998, the disclosures of which, as well as the references cited herein, are incorporated by reference. This class of compounds is known to possess excellent activity against ectoparasites such as ticks and fleas.

The isoxazoline compounds may exist in various isomeric forms. A reference to an isoxazoline compound always includes all possible isomeric forms of such compound. Unless otherwise stated, a compound structure that does not indicate a particular conformation is intended to encompass compositions of all the possible conformational isomers of the compound, as well as compositions comprising fewer than all the possible conformational isomers. In some embodiments, the compound is a chiral compound. In some embodiments, the compound is a non-chiral compound.

Isoxazoline compounds of Formula (I) can be prepared according to one or other of the processes described e.g. in Patent Applications US 2007/0066617, WO 2007/079162, WO 2009/002809, WO 2009/080250, WO 2010/070068, WO 2010/079077, 2011/075591 and WO 2011/124998 or any other process coming within the competence of a person skilled in the art who is an expert in chemical synthesis. For the chemical preparation of the products of the invention, a person skilled in the art is regarded as having at his disposal, inter alia, the entire contents of “Chemical Abstracts” and of the documents which are cited therein.

In one embodiment the isoxazoline compound is 4-[5-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-[(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethylcarbamoyl)-methyl]-benzamide (CAS RN [864731-61-3])-USAN furalaner—Compound A.

This invention is also directed to soft chews with combinations comprising more than one pharmaceutically active ingredient. Preferred combinations comprising active ingredients selected from the group consisting of isoxazolines of Formula (I) and avermectins and milbemycins. In one embodiment the soft chew comprises a combination of isoxazolines, especially fluralaner—compound A, or afoxolaner with ivermectin. In another embodiment the soft chew comprises a combination of isoxazolines, especially fluralaner—compound A, or afoxolaner with milbemycin or moxidectin.

Other combinations of the present invention can include insect or acarid growth regulators (AGRs or IGRs) such as e.g. fenoxycarb, lufenuron, diflubenzuron, novaluron, triflumuron, fluazuron, cyromazine, methoprene, pyriproxyfen etc., thereby providing both initial and sustained control of parasites (at all stages of insect development, including eggs) on the animal subject, as well as within the environment of the animal subject.

The amounts of each of the components in the final product may be varied considerably, depending upon the nature of the pharmaceutically active ingredients, the weight and condition of the subject treated, and the unit dosage desired. Those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to adjust dosage amounts for particular pharmaceutically active ingredients in the soft chews in light of the teachings of this disclosure.

Generally, however, the pharmaceutically active ingredients may be provided by range in weight based on the total weight of the composition from about 0.001% to 75% (w/w), more preferably 0.1% to 40%, and most preferably not in excess of 50%.

For example, for administration for the control of ectoparasites in dogs, such as Compound A for treatment of fleas and ticks (see, Example 1) the amount of Compound A in the product of the invention is between 5% and 20% w/w, especially about 9% w/w or about 14% w/w.

The soft chew according to the invention comprises as (non-active) ingredient a liquid component. As used herein the liquid component includes aqueous and non-aqueous solvents, oils or humectant components or mixtures of any of such liquids. In one embodiment the liquid component is oil or a mixture of oils. In another embodiment the liquid component comprises one or more oils and one or more non-aqueous solvents. In one embodiment the liquid component comprises one or more oils, one or more non-aqueous solvents and a humectant.

The oil employed in the soft chew may be a saturated or unsaturated liquid fatty acid, its glyceride derivatives or fatty acid derivatives of plant or animal origin or a mixture thereof. Suitable sources for vegetable fats or oils can be palm oil, corn oil, castor oil, canola oil safflower oil, cotton-seed oil, soybean oil, olive oil, peanut oil and mixtures thereof. Additionally, animal oil or fats and a mixture of animal or vegetable oils or fats are suitable for use in the product according to the invention. Vegetable oils may also be utilized to lubricate the soft chew mixture and maintain its softness. In one embodiment the oily component is soybean oil.

As used herein, the term “non-aqueous solvent” is intended to mean any liquid other than water in which a biological material may be dissolved or suspended and includes both inorganic solvents and, more preferably, organic solvents.

Illustrative examples of suitable non-aqueous solvents include, but are not limited to, the following: acetone, acetonitrile, benzyl alcohol, butyl diglycol, dimethylacetamide (DMA), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide, N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, ethyl alcohol, isopropanol, methanol, butanol, phenylethyl alcohol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, monomethylaceamide, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, liquid polyoxyethylene glycols, propylene glycol, N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), 2-pyrrolidone, limonene, eucalyptol, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, polyethoxylated castor oil, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl-L-lactate, lactic acid, fructone, glycerol formal, ethyl acetate, 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate, ethyl acetoacetate, geranyl acetate, benzyl benzoate, propylene carbonate, methyl salicylate, isopropyl myristate, isopropylidene glycerol, propylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, γ-hexalactone. In one embodiment the non-aqueous solvent is 2-pyrrolidone.

As used herein, the term “humectant” means and refers to a hygroscopic substance. It can be a molecule with several hydrophilic groups, e.g. hydroxyl groups, but amines and carboxyl groups, sometimes esterified, can be encountered as well; the affinity to form hydrogen bonds with molecules of water is crucial here.

The humectant has the effect of keeping the soft chew dough moist. Examples of humectants include propylene glycol, glyceryl triacetate, vinyl alcohol and neoagarobiose. Others can be sugar polyols such as glycerol, sorbitol, xylitol and maltitol, polymeric polyols like polydextrose, or natural extracts like quillaia, lactic acid, or urea. In one embodiment the humectant is glycerol.

In an embodiment, the liquid component comprises about 5% to about 50% w/w of the soft chew. In an alternate embodiment, a liquid component comprises about 7.5% to about 40% w/w of the soft chew. In an alternate embodiment, a liquid component comprises about 10% to about 30% w/w of the soft chew. In an alternate embodiment, a liquid component comprises about 15% to about 25% w/w of the soft chew.

The forming agent is important for the texture of the soft chew and the possibility to form single soft chews from the dough that stay intact and separate. As used herein, the term “former” or “forming agent” means and refers to an agent providing texture to the soft chew product, like for example polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).

In an embodiment, a forming agent of choice is polyethylene glycol (PEG). Moreover, depending upon the desired consistency of the soft chew, different molecular weight PEG may be utilized. In an embodiment, PEG 3350 is utilized. However, the PEG chosen is a matter of choice and the molecular weight may be higher or lower than 3350, but preferably higher than 600. Alternatively PEG 8000 might be used.

In an embodiment, the forming agent comprises about 1% to about 40% w/w of the soft chew. In an alternate embodiment, a forming agent comprises about 5% to about 30% w/w % of the soft chew. In an alternate embodiment, a forming agent comprises about 10% to about 20% w/w of the soft chew. In case the forming agent is polyvinylpyrrolidone e.g. 2, 4, 5, 6 or 9% w/w are present in the soft chew.

The product according to the current invention conventionally further comprise physiologically acceptable formulation excipients known in the art e.g. as described in “Gennaro, Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy” (20th Edition, 2000) incorporated by reference herein. All such ingredients, carriers and excipients must be substantially pharmaceutically or veterinary pure and non-toxic in the amounts employed and must be compatible with the pharmaceutically active ingredients.

Additional excipients that can be present in the soft chew are e.g. a filler, a flavour, or sugar components.

As used herein, the term “filler” or “filler component” means and refers to those food-stuffs containing a preponderance of starch and/or starch-like material. Examples of filler are cereal grains and meals or flours obtained upon grinding cereal grains such as corn, oats, wheat, milo, barley, rice, and the various milling by-products of these cereal grains such as wheat feed flour, wheat middlings, mixed feed, wheat shorts, wheat red dog, oat, hominy feed, and other such material. Alternative non-food stuff fillers such as e.g. lactose may be used. In one embodiment the filler is starch, corn starch being preferred.

Flavours are commonly added to soft chewable pharmaceutical products to enhance their palatability. For example, a veterinary medication might include animal product-based flavourings such as beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish and lamb, liver, milk, cheese and egg may be utilized.

Non-animal origin flavourings are plant proteins, such as soy protein, yeasts, or lactose to which edible artificial food-like flavourings has been added. Depending on the target animal, other non-animal flavourings could include anise oil, carob, peanuts, fruit flavours, herbs such as parsley, celery leaves, peppermint, spearmint, garlic, or combinations thereof.

The sugar component may act as a sweetener, filler or flavour or provides a texture that is appealing to the animal, e.g. crunchy texture. As used herein, the term “sugar component” and any conjugation thereof, means and refers to any saccharide which is at least partially soluble in moisture, non-toxic, and preferably not provide any undesirable taste effects. Further, the use of the term “sugar” shall include a “sugar substitute” or an “artificial sweetener”. The sugar component may comprise white sugar, corn syrup, sorbitol, mannitol, oligosaccharide, isomalto oligosaccharide, fructose, lactose, glucose, lycasin, xylitol, lactitol, erythritol, mannitol, isomaltose, polydextrose, raffinose, dextrin, galactose, sucrose, invert sugar, honey, molasses, polyhydric alcohols and other similar saccharides oligomers and polymers and mixture thereof or artificial sweeteners such as saccharine, aspartame and other dipeptide sweeteners. In one embodiment the sweetener is aspartame.

Various embodiments further comprise additional excipients such as surfactants, stabilizer, flow agents, disintegration agents, preservatives and/or lubricating agents.

Surfactant components are well-known in the art. A suitable surfactant is e.g. sodium lauryl sulphate.

Suitable stabilizer components are citric acid, sodium citrate, and/or the like and antioxidants such as BHT, BHA, Ascorbic acid, Tocopherol, EDTA.

Flow agents typically may include silica dioxide, modified silica, fumed silica, talc and any other suitable material to assist bulk movement of active components and/or the combination during delivery and/or manufacture.

Disintegration agents typically may include sodium starch glycolate, pregelatinized corn starch (Starch 1500), crospovidone (Polyplasdone XL™, International Specialty Products), and croscarmellose sodium (Ac-Di-Sol™, FMC Corp.), and derivatives thereof and any other suitable material to help breakdown the dosage form and to assist in delivery of active ingredients.

Preservative for oral formulations are known in the art and are included in order to retard growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. An embodiment of preservative includes products such as potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate or calcium propionate.

Lubricating agents are e.g. magnesium stearate, fumaric acid, sodium stearyl fumarate.

Process of Manufacturing

Preferably, dry ingredients of the chew mixture are blended first; then the liquid components (e.g., oil, humectants or solvents) are added and blended therein to form a thoroughly blended mixture. After blending, the soft chew mixture is discharged from a port through the blender into a suitable container for processing into individual dosage units by hand or preferably with a forming machine.

A variety of forming equipment may be utilized in the invention, but those particularly preferred for use are molding machines developed for use in producing molded food products, such as pre-formed hamburger patties and chicken nuggets. For example, the molding machines disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,486,186; 3,887,964; 3,952,478; 4,054,967; 4,097,961; 4,182,003; 4,334,339; 4,338,702; 4,343,068; 4,356,595; 4,372,008; 4,535,505; 4,597,135; 4,608,731; 4,622,717; 4,697,308; 4,768,941; 4,780,931; 4,818,446; 4,821,376; 4,872,241; 4,975,039; 4,996,743; 5,021,025; 5,022,888; 5,655,436; and 5,980,228 (the disclosures of which are incorporated herein) are representative of forming equipment that may be utilized in the invention.

Preferred forming equipment for use in the invention includes the Formax F6™ molding machine made by the Formax Corporation. The F6 machine has the capabilities of 60 strokes per minute. A square forming die of 6″ by 6″ can be used to form approximately 16-25 chunk-like soft chew units per stroke, each unit weighing 4 grams and being approximately ⅝″ by ⅝″ in size. Dies for production of other sizes or shapes (e.g., bone shaped chews) may also be utilized.

In such a machine, rotating screws and a plunger cause the chew mixture to move through a product tunnel to fill cavities in a mold plate. The mold plate is advanced from the filling position to the discharge position. There a knockout mechanism, with cups aligned with the cavities, ejects the molded mixture from all the mold plate cavities simultaneously. After discharge, the mold plate is retracted so the cycle can begin again.

Each batch of chews may be packaged in bulk or, preferably, each soft chew is then individually packaged for storage. Examples of suitable packaging materials include HDPE bottles, blister or foil/foil packaging.

Methods of Using the Soft Chews

In one embodiment the product of the invention is intended for use for controlling a parasitic insect- and acarid or helminth, especially parasitic nematode infestation. The term “controlling a parasitic insect- and acarid infestation” refers to preventing, reducing or eliminating an infestation by such parasites on animals preferably by killing the insects and/or acarids or nematode parasites within hours or days.

The term “parasitic insect- and acarid” refers to ectoparasites e.g. insect and acarine pests that commonly infest or infect animals. Examples of such ectoparasites include the egg, larval, pupal, nymphal and adult stages of lice, fleas, mosquitoes, mites, ticks biting or nuisance fly species. Especially important are the adult stages of fleas and ticks.

In general, the product according to the invention will contain an effective amount of the active ingredients, meaning a non-toxic but sufficient amount to provide the desired control effect. A person skilled in the art using routine experimentation may determine an appropriate “effective” amount in any individual case. Such an amount will depend on the age, condition, weight and type of the target animal. The soft chews may be formulated to contain an amount of active ingredients that is adjusted to animals in a specific weight range. The animals may receive a dosage every 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 months or receives a monthly, weekly or daily dosage. The treatment can, for example, be continuing or seasonal.

In general the product according to the current invention can be administered to all species of animals that have insect- or acarid- or helminth parasite infestation. The recipient of the product may be a livestock animal, e.g. sheep, cattle, pig, goat or poultry; a laboratory test animal, e.g. guinea pig, rat or mouse; or a companion animal, e.g. dog, cat, rabbit, ferret or horse. The product according to the invention is especially suitable for use in companion animals, e.g. dogs, cats or ferrets.

As used herein, the term “w/w” designates weight/weight, the term “w/v” designates weight/volume, and the term “mg/kg” designates milligrams per kilogram of body weight. As used herein, % w/w represents the percentage by weight of an Ingredient in the recipe of the product.

The invention having been fully described, its practice is illustrated by the examples provided below. The examples do not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined entirely by the appended claims.

Example 1 Soft Chew According to the Invention Exemplary Method of Manufacture for Soft Chews of the Invention

Dry powdery ingredients which exhibited aggregates were sieved through an 800 μm screen. All dry powdery ingredients were weighed in and placed in the mixing vessel of a horizontal ploughshare or planetary mixing blender and mixed until the blend was visually practically homogeneous, i.e. approximately 10 minutes.

The defined amount of glycerol was added slowly followed by a short mixing. Oily components were added slowly followed again by a short mixing. If necessary, the mixer was heated to a temperature inhibiting a too fast precipitation of the PEG which introduced in the next step.

The PEG 3350 was molten. The defined amount of the molten PEG was added relatively quickly to the chew mixture, which was then mixed until the mixture was homogeneous and could be separated from the wall. The mixture resembled a “cookie dough-like” appearance.

The mixture was formed into individual chunks using a Formax F6™ molding machine with dies for production of chunk-like shapes, and packaged for storage.

Examples of soft chews according to the invention comprising 4-[5-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-[(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethylcarbamoyl)-methyl]-benzamide—Compound A as active ingredients are set forth below.

Substance mass [mg] % Formulation A Active ingredient 500.0 8.93 Flavour 1120.0 20.00 Sucrose 392.0 7.00 Corn starch (filler) 883.2 15.77 Sodium lauryl sulfate 112.0 2.00 Sodium pamoate 140.0 2.50 Magnesium stearate 42.0 0.75 Aspartame 14.0 0.25 Glycerol 420.0 7.50 Soybean oil (0.1% BHT- 1024.8 18.30 stabilized) Polyethylene glycol 952.0 17.00 3350 SUM 5600.0 100.00 Formulation B Active ingredient 500.00 8.93 Flavor 1120.00 20.00 Sucrose 392.00 7.00 Corn starch (filler) 1163.20 20.77 Sodium lauryl sulfate 112.00 2.00 Sodium pamoate 112.00 2.00 Magnesium stearate 42.00 0.75 Aspartame 14.00 0.25 Glycerol 420.00 7.50 Soybean oil (0.1% BHT- 688.80 12.30 stabilized) Polyethylene glycol 1036.00 18.50 3350 SUM 5600.00 100.00 Formulation C Active ingredient 500.00 8.93 Flavor 560.00 10.00 Sucrose 1148.00 20.50 Corn starch (filler) 1135.20 20.27 Sodium lauryl sulfate 112.00 2.00 Sodium pamoate 112.00 2.00 Magnesium stearate 42.00 0.75 Aspartame 14.00 0.25 Glycerol 224.00 4.00 Soybean oil (0.1% BHT- 716.80 12.80 stabilized) Polyethylene glycol 1036.00 18.50 3350 SUM 5600.00 100.00 Formulation D Active ingredient 500.00 8.93 Flavor 1120.00 20.00 Sucrose 392.00 7.00 Corn starch (filler) 1135.20 20.27 Sodium lauryl sulfate 112.00 2.00 Sodium pamoate 112.00 2.00 Magnesium stearate 42.00 0.75 Aspartame 14.00 0.25 Glycerol 420.00 7.50 Soybean oil (0.1% BHT- 800.80 14.30 stabilized) Polyethylene glycol 952.00 17.00 3350 SUM 5600.00 100.00 Formulation E Active ingredient 500.00 13.89 Flavor 720.00 20.00 Sucrose 252.00 7.00 Corn starch (filler) 569.20 15.81 Sodium lauryl sulfate 72.00 2.00 Sodium pamoate 72.00 2.00 Magnesium stearate 27.00 0.75 Aspartame 9.00 0.25 Glycerol 270.00 7.50 Soybean oil (0.1% BHT- 442.80 12.30 stabilized) Polyethylene glycol 666.00 18.50 3350 SUM 3600.00 100.00 Formulation F Active ingredient 500.00 13.89 Flavor 720.00 20.00 Sucrose 288.00 8.00 Corn starch (filler) 569.20 15.81 Sodium lauryl sulfate 72.00 2.00 Sodium pamoate 72.00 2.00 Magnesium stearate 27.00 0.75 Aspartame 9.00 0.25 Glycerol 234.00 6.50 Soybean oil (0.1% BHT- 442.80 12.30 stabilized) Polyethylene glycol 666.00 18.50 3350 SUM 3600.00 100.00

The mixture was formed into individual chunks using a Formax F6™ molding machine and the processing was without any problems like stopping of the movable parts.

Soft chews according to the invention were prepared comprising the following alternative isoxazoline compounds

TABLE 3 Test formulations Excipient 13-009 13-010 13-011 13-012 13-013 13-014 Compound B 13.64%  4.27% Compound C 13.64%  4.27% Compound D 13.64%  4.27% 2-pyrrolidone 10.19% 10.19% 10.19% microcrystalline 24.27% 24.27% 24.27% cellulose sodium starch  4.95%  4.95%  4.95% glycolate flavor  20.0% 14.56%  20.0% 14.56%  20.0% 14.56% sucrose  7.0%  7.0%  7.0% corn starch 16.06% 16.06% 16.06% sodium lauryl  2.0%  3.4%  2.0%  3.4%  2.0%  3.4% sulfate sodium  2.0%  2.43%  2.0%  2.43%  2.0%  2.43% pamoate magnesium  0.75%  0.49%  0.75%  0.49%  0.75%  0.49% stearate aspartame  0.25%  0.49%  0.25%  0.49%  0.25%  0.49% glycerin  7.5%  2.91%  7.5%  2.91%  7.5%  2.91% soybean oil  12.3% 16.75%  12.3% 16.75%  12.3% 16.75% PEG 3350  18.5%  18.5%  18.5% PEG 8000 15.29% 15.29% 15.29%

Example 2 Comparative Example Soft Chew

Examples of soft chews that do not contain pamoic acid or salts or esters thereof are set forth below.

mass Substance [mg] % Result Formulation G Active ingredient 500 8.93 Forming machine stops while in process. The Flavor 1120 20 addition of 2% w/w soybean oil did not result Aspartame 28 0.5 in a proper process. The addition of further 2% w/w Sucrose 392 7 soybean oil and 2.5% w/w Corn starch (filler) 634 11.32 magnesium stearate did not improve the Magnesium stearate 42 0.75 process. Sodium lauryl sulfate 112 2 Lactose monohydrate 560 10 Soybean oil (BHT- 896 16 stabilized) Glycerol 420 7.5 Polyethylene glycol3350 896 16 SUM 5600 100 Formulation H Active ingredient 502.01 8.93 Forming machine stops during process. After Flavor 1120.00 20.00 addition of 1% w/w Sodium pamoate machine Sucrose 1008.00 18.00 stops again. After addition of Sodium Corn starch (filler) 575.99 10.32 pamoate to reach a final amount of 1.5% w/w Sodium lauryl sulfate 112.00 2.00 the process runs properly. Magnesium stearate 42.00 0.75 Aspartame 28.00 0.50 Glycerol 420.00 7.50 Soybean oil (0.1% BHT- 896.00 16.00 stabilized) Polyethylene glycol 896.00 16.00 3350 SUM 5600.00 100.00 Formulation I Active ingredient 200.00 6.25 2-Pyrrolidone 294.40 9.20 Microcrystalline cellulose 769.60 24.05 Colloid Silicon dioxide 64.00 2.00 Micronized poloxamer 160.00 5.00 407 (Lutrol Micro 127) Sodium lauryl sulfate 160.00 5.00 Flavor 480.00 15.00 Sodium pamoate 0.00 0.00 Aspartame 16.00 0.50 Magnesium stearate 32.00 1.00 Labrasol 64.00 2.00 Soy bean oil (0.1% BHT- 464.00 14.50 stabilized) Polyethylene glycol 8000 496.00 15.50 SUM 3200.00 100.00

The initial formulation containing no sodium pamoate is not processable. After addition of 2.5% sodium pamoate the forming process runs properly.

Example 4

Efficacy Against Brown Dog Ticks (R. sanguineus) on Dogs

A composition according to the invention with the following excipients was prepared.

Excipient Composition (% w/w) Fluralaner- Compound A 4.27% 2-pyrrolidone 10.19% microcrystalline cellulose 24.27% sodium starch glycolate 4.95% flavor 14.56% sodium lauryl sulfate 3.40% sodium pamoate 2.43% aspartame 0.49% magnesium stearate 0.49% glycerol 2.91% soybean oil 16.75% Polyethylene Glycol 8000 15.29%

Dogs were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups of 8 animals each, and one untreated control group of 8 animals. The dogs in the treatment groups were treated with the composition as described above on Day Zero as shown in Table 6:

TABLE 6 Treatment Groups Group Treatment A Untreated control B 4.27% fluralaner chewable tablet 8 mg/kg bw C 4.27% fluralaner chewable tablet 10 mg/kg bw D 4.27% fluralaner chewable tablet 12 mg/kg bw E 4.27% fluralaner chewable tablet 20 mg/kg bw

The dogs were infested on Day −2 with approximately 50 adult unfed ticks (R. sanguineus) and on Day 28 and 56. Ticks were counted approximately 48 h post infestation and on Days 30 and 58 (approximately 48 hour after each post-treatment re-infestation) to evaluate the acaricidal activity in the treated groups.

Table 7 shows the observed tick counts:

TABLE 7 Brown Dog Ticks (R. sanguineus) on dogs- Tick counts - Group Day 2 Day 30 Day 58 A 21.25 23 25.9 B 0 0 0 C 0.125 0 0 D 0 0 1.13 E 0 0 0 

1-18. (canceled)
 19. A soft chewable veterinary product for controlling a parasite of an animal comprising: an isoxazoline active ingredient or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable nonactive ingredients.
 20. The soft chewable veterinary product of claim 19, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable nonactive ingredients comprise a filler, a flavoring, a forming agent, a solvent, a surfactant, a humectant, optionally an antioxidant, and optionally, a preservative.
 21. The soft chewable veterinary product of claim 20, wherein the filler comprises corn starch, the flavoring comprises beef, pork, liver or an edible artificial food-like flavoring, the forming agent comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyethylene glycol, and the humectant comprises glycerol.
 22. The soft chewable veterinary product of claim 19, wherein the soft chewable veterinary composition further comprises pamoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 23. The soft chewable veterinary product of claim 19, wherein the isoxazoline active ingredient is present in an amount from 0.1% to 40%.
 24. The soft chewable veterinary product of claim 23, wherein the isoxazoline active ingredient is present in an amount between 5% and 20%.
 25. The soft chewable veterinary product of claim 19, wherein the isoxazoline active ingredient is 4-[5-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-[(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethylcarbamoyl)-methyl]-benzamide.
 26. The soft chewable veterinary product of claim 20, wherein: a) the filler comprises corn starch and is present at a concentration of about 10% to about 20% w/w; b) the forming agent is polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyethylene glycol and is present at a concentration of about 5% to about 30% w/w; c) the humectant is glycerol or propylene glycol and is present at a concentration of 7.5% w/w; d) the surfactant is sodium lauryl sulphate and is present at a concentration of 2% w/w; e) the flavoring is pork, liver, beef, or an edible artificial food-like flavoring and is present at a concentration of 20% w/w.
 27. The soft chewable veterinary product of claim 19, further comprising at least a second active ingredient of another isoxazoline active ingredient, an avermectin or a milbemycin.
 28. The soft chewable veterinary product of claim 27, wherein the second active ingredient is eprinomectin, ivermectin, selamectin, milbemycin oxime, or moxidectin.
 29. The soft chewable veterinary product of claim 19, wherein the isoxazoline active ingredient is 4-[5-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-[(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethylcarbamoyl)-methyl]-benzamide and the second active ingredient is milbemycin oxime or moxidectin.
 30. The soft chewable veterinary product of claim 19, wherein the parasite is a flea or tick.
 31. The soft chewable veterinary product of claim 20, wherein the solvent is a non-aqueous liquid solvent.
 32. The soft chewable veterinary product of claim 19, wherein the product further comprises one or more oils.
 33. The soft chewable veterinary product of claim 19, wherein the one or more oils is palm oil, corn oil, castor oil, canola oil, safflower oil, cotton-seed oil, soybean oil, olive oil, peanut oil or a mixture thereof.
 34. A method for controlling a parasite infestation of an animal comprising administering to the animal an effective amount of a soft chewable veterinary composition comprising: an isoxazoline active ingredient or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable nonactive ingredients.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable nonactive ingredients comprise a filler, a flavoring, a forming agent, a solvent, a surfactant, a humectant, optionally an antioxidant, and optionally, a preservative.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the filler comprises corn starch, the flavoring comprises beef, pork, liver or an edible artificial food-like flavoring, the forming agent comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyethylene glycol, and the humectant comprises glycerol.
 37. The method of claim 34, wherein the soft chewable veterinary composition further comprises at least a second active ingredient of another isoxazoline active ingredient, an avermectin or a milbemycin.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the second active ingredient is eprinomectin, ivermectin, selamectin, milbemycin oxime, or moxidectin.
 39. The method of claim 35, wherein the parasite is a flea or tick.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the animal receives a dosage of the soft chewable veterinary composition every 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months or 6 months.
 41. A method for controlling a flea or tick infestation of an animal comprising administering to the animal an effective amount of a soft chewable veterinary composition comprising: an isoxazoline active ingredient or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a filler comprising corn starch, a flavoring of beef, pork, liver or an edible artificial food-like flavoring, a forming agent comprising polyvinylpyrrolidone or a polyethylene glycol, and a humectant of glycerol.
 42. The method of claim 41, wherein soft chewable veterinary composition comprises a second active ingredient of milbemycin oxime or moxidectin.
 43. The method of claim 41, wherein the animal receives a dosage of the soft chewable veterinary product every 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months or 6 months.
 44. The method of claim 42, wherein the wherein the animal receives a dosage of the soft chewable veterinary product every 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months or 6 months. 